Dave Snowden

Police Chief Dave Snowden has been selected to head the California Police Chiefs Assn., a professional organization with more than 350 members that lobbies the state Legislature on law enforcement issues. Snowden, 48, has spent 26 years in law enforcement and has been the Costa Mesa police chief since 1986. In his capacity as president, Snowden said, he will be able to talk with the attorney general and the governor on issues relating to crime and enforcement.

Police Chief Dave Snowden has been selected to head the California Police Chiefs Assn., a professional organization with more than 350 members that lobbies the state Legislature on law enforcement issues. Snowden, 48, has spent 26 years in law enforcement and has been the Costa Mesa police chief since 1986. In his capacity as president, Snowden said, he will be able to talk with the attorney general and the governor on issues relating to crime and enforcement.

Cypress Police Chief John Hensley was named Tuesday to head the Costa Mesa Police Department, officials said. Hensley will succeed Police Chief Dave Snowden, who will retire after 16 years with the department, said City Manager Allan Roeder. Hensley, a 20-year law enforcement veteran, will oversee about 160 sworn officers when he takes over June 16. He will be the fourth police chief in the department's 50-year history.

The Police Department withdrew a request Monday asking the City Council to consider hiring a firm to track down the city's unlicensed dogs--and their owners. The request was withdrawn after several council members raised questions about the proposal, Police Chief Dave Snowden said. Councilwoman Libby Cowan said she would like to look at methods of addressing unlicensed dogs other than canvassing door to door.

More than three years after Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was fatally shot in Beverly Hills, the L.A. County coroner's office released the autopsy in her case that reveals new details about the high-profile slaying. The report shows that Beverly Hills police initially believed Chasen was killed in a drive-by shooting as she drove her Mercedes home after a film event. Police later concluded it was actually a random attack carried out by a transient riding a bike. Beverly Hills police said Friday that detectives requested that the coroner's file remain private for all this time out of respect for Chasen's family.

Pitching was the difference in Santa Margarita's 9-1 victory over Newport Harbor in Tuesday's championship semifinal game of the Pride of the Coast Baseball Tournament. Santa Margarita will play Corona del Mar for the championship this afternoon. The Sea Kings, who will be host to Santa Margarita at 2 p.m., beat Century, 10-4, in their semifinal game Tuesday. For the Eagles (10-6), senior right-hander Ryan Reightley (5-1) pitched five innings, allowing no runs on four hits.

Newport Harbor 1993 RECORDS: OVERALL: 6-19 LEAGUE: 4-10 COACH: Kirk Bates RECORD AT SCHOOL: 26-45-1 RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Zach Biehl Jr. C R-R Mike Buist Jr. P L-L Rett Coluccio Jr. LF/3B R-R Mike Freeman Jr. 1B L-L Brett Hlista Sr. SS R-R Scott Sandstrom Jr. CF R-R Dave Snowden Jr. RF R-R TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T Matt Burns Sr. 3B R-R Aaron Lisi Jr. 2B R-R TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Tom Bullard Sr. LF R-R Chad Coluccio So. OF/3B L-R Chris Grodach Jr. P L-L Branon Love Jr.

Working to strengthen the relationship between the Latino community and law enforcement, the Costa Mesa Police Department soon will offer its popular Citizens Academy in Spanish. The nine-week course, which starts April 15, will introduce civilians to specialties within the department, including SWAT, canine and narcotics units, patrol, traffic and investigations. Field and lab work will include firearm safety instruction and on-duty rides in squad cars.

1992 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 10-13-1 4-10-1 COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Kirk Bates 20-26-1 RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Ryan Anderson Sr. P/3B R-R Mike Buist So. P L-L Mike Eadie Sr. P R-R Justin Ketcham Sr. OF R-R Chris Parker Sr. OF R-R OTHER TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T Ted Stelle Sr. P L-L TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Zach Biehl So. C R-R Mike Freeman So. 1B L-L Brett Hlista Jr. OF R-R Scott Sandstrom So. SS R-R Dave Snowden So. INF/OF R-R Tom Urbina Sr.

The mayor and police chief of Costa Mesa promised Monday to investigate allegations that police acted wrongfully in arresting a protester whom hecklers said splattered them with paint during a Fourth of July demonstration. "It will be thoroughly investigated and, if we did something wrong, it will be corrected," Chief Dave Snowden said after a City Council meeting at which more than 20 people voiced complaints.